Dear Parent and Carers,
As you are aware, the school was inspected by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate on 28 and 29 January 2026. I am now in receipt of the final report and am delighted to be able to share it with you.
We are extremely proud of our achievements, having been awarded an Outstanding judgement in each of the three areas: Catholic life and mission, religious education, and collective worship. As a result of achieving an Outstanding grade in every area, our overall judgement is Outstanding.
The report is a wonderful affirmation of our dedication to providing an excellent Catholic education for all students, which we strive for year on year. Inspectors recognised how deeply our mission to share the love and goodness of God with everyone underpins our ethos. They noted that this mission is not simply a statement, but a principle lived out daily, shaping a school where students feel valued and know that they are unique individuals made in the image of God.
We are particularly delighted that inspectors so strongly recognised our welcoming, inclusive, and diverse community, where relationships between students and staff are built on respect and mutual understanding. This leads to a caring and positive environment in which all students are held in high esteem.
The inspection report also highlights the strength of our staff, who are described as outstanding role models and are deeply appreciated by students, who recognise that staff go above and beyond to ensure that all those in their care flourish. Leaders in this area, including the lay chaplain, are described as inspirational and highly valued. Inspectors also noted the outstanding chaplaincy provision, which ensures that everyone, regardless of faith, benefits from the rich offer available.
Inspectors recognised the strength of religious education and noted how positively students speak about their lessons, experiencing outstanding relationships with staff that enable them to flourish.
This achievement belongs to our entire school community. I would like to thank our students, who are at the heart of Notre Dame and who spoke so positively and enthusiastically about our school. I am deeply grateful to our staff for their tireless commitment and to our governors for their guidance and support. I would also like to thank you, our parents and carers, for your trust and partnership, and for the vital role you play in supporting both the education and faith formation of your children. Over 380 of you responded to the parent survey, which is a very high number for an inspection, and my special thanks go to those who took the time to come into school and speak personally with the inspectors.
As a Notre Dame school, we remain rooted in humility and reflection, recognising that our work is never finished. Guided by the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame, we will continue to strive for excellence, to champion the most vulnerable, and to ensure that our young people are prepared not only for success, but for lives of purpose, service, and hope.
Yours sincerely
D Cleary
Headteacher